Benjamin Netanyahu: I understand America First, I don’t understand America dead.

3 months ago
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Benjamin Netanyahu: "It's Tel Aviv today, tomorrow it will be New York.

Look, I understand "America First." What I don't understand is "America Dead." That's what these people want. They shout "Death to America." So we are doing something that is for the good of humanity, of the human race, and it is a battle of good versus evil.

America must, and in fact does, stand on the side of good. That is what President Trump is doing, and I deeply appreciate his support."

John Karl joins me now. So, John, what else did he say about President Trump and how he wants the U.S. to play a role here? Or did he not say?

Well, look, he praised President Trump repeatedly in this interview. He knows he needs U.S. support, at least with what the U.S. is doing now, which is helping Israel defend itself from those retaliatory attacks from Iran. So it was all framed as "Thank you, President Trump, you’ve been Israel’s best friend." But he made it clear he would like to see more. He didn’t say it directly in those words, in that way, but what you heard—what you just played—"I understand America First, I don’t understand America Dead"—he’s speaking directly to those in the Trump movement, in the MAGA movement, who are firmly against the U.S. getting involved in another Middle East conflict.

And as you know, Kiera, there are some prominent voices, supporters and outside advisors of Donald Trump who are saying "stay out." The United States cannot get involved. He campaigned against endless wars. People like Tucker Carlson, Steve Bannon, Charlie Kirk.

Those are close followers of Donald Trump who are saying they don’t believe the U.S. should get involved in this. And Netanyahu, I thought, by using that language—"I understand America First, I don’t understand America Dead"—was speaking directly to Donald Trump and his supporters, who are critical of what Israel is doing.

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